To aid California class action defense attorneys in anticipating claims against which they may have to defend, we provide weekly an unofficial summary of legal categories for class actions filed in California state and federal courts in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, San Diego, San Mateo, Oakland/Alameda and Orange County areas. This report covers the time period of from October 6 – October 12, 2006. We include only those categories that contain 10% or more of the class action filings during the relevant timeframe. Approximately 44 class action lawsuits were filed in these California state and federal courts during that time period, of which 14 (almost 32%) involved public accommodation actions under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employment law claims came in second with 11 new filings (25%). The only other category of cases to break the 10% threshold consisted of unfair competition/unfair business practice claims: class action defense attorneys will face 5 new cases involving that area of law, which represents approximately 11% of the class actions filed during this time period.

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About the Author

Michael J. Hassen

Michael J. Hassen's litigation practice spans almost 30 years and emphasizes general business and commercial litigation, including class action defense and unfair business practice representative actions (section 17200).

He represents lenders in all facets of lender litigation, ranging from class actions and unfair business practices based on alleged "predatory" lending and RESPA violations or alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, to claims alleging elder abuse or challenging the validity or priority of liens.

Michael also has significant experience in business torts such as misappropriation of trade secrets and raiding of corporate employees, ADA claims, and all phases of commercial and real estate finance, construction finance and construction defect claims.

He is experienced in appellate matters, having had primary responsibility for preparing more than 100 appellate briefs.